Battle of Laon
The battles of Laon took place the 9 and March 10th 1814, between the French Army ordered by Napoleon and the Prussian army ordered by Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher.
Context
The French are overcome in Russia in 1812 and Central Europe in 1813. In 1814 the allies decide to put an end to the wars Sixth coalition by invading France. The French Empire fight from now on for its survival.During the last week of February 1814, approximately a month after the beginning of the allied invasion, Blucher takes the initiative and advances on Paris. The marshals Edouard Mortar and Auguste Marmont protect the capital with two detachments, but with only: 10000 men, they do not weigh heavy vis-a-vis the quite higher forces of Blücher of number. Napoleon precipitates towards the west with their help with close to: 30000 men, in the hope to trap Blücher against the the Marne.
At the end of February, at the beginning of March, Blücher attacks without success, Marmont and Mortier along the Ourcq and orders the retirement towards north to gather its forces when he hears of the advance of Napoleon. The Prussian troops cross the Aisne in believed and arrive at Soissons the March 4th. Reinforcements of the Woronsof general join there, carrying the forces of Blücher with: 100000 men.
The March 7th, Napoleon attacks along the Chemin of the Ladies. It is there that takes place the Bataille of Craonne. The French are victorious, but the allies manage to be withdrawn towards Laon.
Battle field
Laon is important crossroads which offers a superb defensive position. Selected Blucher to fight battle to it. Indeed the plate of Laon which culminates with 180 meters is defended by steep slopes. Towards North the landscape is flat and discovered. In the South, the broken and wooded relief complicates the military operations. With the foot of the plate the villages of Ardon and Semilly are like bastions for the Russian and Prussian armies.
Be a prelude to
Blücher has now approximately: 90000 soldiers and 176 guns. The Prussian body of Bülow is assigned to the defense even of Laon. The Western wing of the Prussians is covered by the Russian body of Winzingerode, while the wing East is defended by the bodies of the Prussian generals Yorck and Kleist. The bodies of the generals Langeron and Osten-Sacken constitute the reserve.After Craonne, Napoleon sent large his forces towards the North-East, detaching approximately: 10000 men under the orders of Marmont towards Laon via the road of the Berry-with-Vat.
The battle
In the evening of the March 8th, skirmishes take place with Urcel on the road of Soissons. The Avant-garde French hunting of the village a small Russian detachment.At the first hours of the March 9th, the French continue their advance along the road. At 5 a.m. 30, the dragons French arrive opposite Laon, but they lost the effect of surprised and are withdrawn under a heavy fire. As from 7 a.m., the French tackle on several occasions the positions of Ardon and Semilly. Certain elements of the Jeune Guard reach even the top of the hill, before being driven back.
Blücher suffers from a fever which prevents it from following closely the events. Bad information leaves him think that the French have at least: 90000 men and it is reticent with launching an attack. Against: 30000 French, the victory had been determining, but in the real uncertainty of the Blucher situation is satisfied to launch against the left side of Napoleon, the body of Winzingerode which is easily pushed back. Around 11 a.m. the fog rises, and the allied command has finally a clearer vision of the battle field.
Blücher decides to isolate the forces from Napoleon in the West of the column of Marmont in the East. A very given allied attack makes it possible to take again the village of Ardon, but the brigade of Prussian infantry receives the order to stop because Blücher fears that the French forces do not encircle them. Late in the evening of March 9th, an attack of the French led to the catch of Clacy, a village in the Western side of the Prussians. However, at the end of the first day of engagements, Laon remains with the hands of the Allies.
In the afternoon, around 5 p.m., the troops of Marmont attacked the village of Athies and drove out the Prussians of their advanced stations. With the noises of the engagements, Blucher and Gneisenau order a powerful counter-attack with two bodies. Colonel Fabvier that Marmont sent with: 1000 men to establish a contact with the principal army of Napoleon to the happy initiative to make half-turn and, with the assistance of 125 old of the old guard, pushes back the Prussian cavalry. Marmont arrives in-extrémis escaping, but loses in this business: 3500 men and 45 guns.
Consequences
Napoleon withdraws himself and without being continued, folds up itself on Rheims where it gains a last but useless victory over the Russian general, though French of origin Guillaume de Saint-Priest.